EY maintains investment in young talent with 64 student hires across the North West

• Forty-six graduates and 18 apprentices have secured positions at the firm across Manchester and Liverpool
• In addition, a further 13 students were given temporary short-term placements through industrial placement and summer internship, to gain vital work experience

NORTH WEST, 28 September 2020: EY has welcomed a total of 64 graduates and apprentices to the firm this year, reinforcing its commitment to invest in and nurture young talent, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This represents another strong intake for the firm across the region as it continues to build out its talent pipeline across the North West. The firm’s Manchester office welcomed 42 graduates and 16 apprentices, while four graduates and two apprentices joined its Liverpool office.

EY has adjusted its student recruitment programmes for a virtual environment to ensure graduates and apprentices are still able to undertake client work and work towards their professional qualifications, despite COVID-19. EY has introduced more one-to-one touchpoints for students with their line managers and coaches and will be arming students with tools and tips on working in a virtual world. There will also be virtual networking sessions and more peer support groups.

Stephen Church, Office Managing Partner for EY in the North West, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome so many new graduates to the firm and I’m thrilled that our apprenticeships continue to be successful.

“Young talent is essential to our future business success and to shaping the skills we will need to remain competitive. I’m proud that we’ve maintained our commitment to student recruitment this year, despite COVID-19, and that we’ve honoured all the conditional offers we made prior to A-level results.

“At a time when many young people across the North West are facing a challenging labour market, our apprenticeship, graduate and internship programmes provide students and school leavers with a great opportunity to gain real hands-on experience, while also enhancing their skills and gaining a qualification – I wish them all every success.”

The apprentices will be supported and mentored by senior EY professionals, gaining valuable work experience through projects within EY’s service lines, as they complete either a Level 7 Apprenticeship in Accounting and Taxation, or a Degree Apprenticeship in Digital and Technology solutions.

This student intake forms part of EY’s wider strategy to continue to nurture and invest in young talent so that they may grow and develop their capabilities as they progress within the firm.